Sisler High School is the largest high school in the province of Manitoba with over 1800 students. It was built in 1957, and named after William James Sisler. As principal of Strathcona School in the North End of Winnipeg, W.J. Sisler was instrumental in helping new immigrant families adjust. He faced a great challenge in the fact that a majority of the students did not speak English; there were twenty-two countries of origin and eighteen language groups in his student body. In addition, many of his students came from areas where they were deprived of their right to an education. In his book Peaceful Invasion, W.J. Sisler says "Once they understood the value of education that was freely offered to them they took full advantage of all that we could give them". He adapted the education system for his immigrant students, and the provincial government of Manitoba soon officially adopted his method of teaching. Sisler High School today has a large ESL (English as a Second Language) program.AwardsSisler High School has been recognized for teaching excellence. Principal George Heshka, who has been principal of Sisler High School for twenty-five years, has overseen the creation of various programmes such as the All-Girl classes, the 24-Hour Exile, and the humanitarian groups of Sisler High School.Nine teachers at Sisler High School have won Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence. This is the most that any single school has received of this award. Mr. Chris Bandfield, social studies department head, also won Manitoba's Lieutenant Governor's Classroom Teacher Award, of which only one is awarded annually at the secondary level. Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence 2015 - Charles Bazilewich, 2014 - Jamie Leduc, 2013 - Kenneth Gordon, 2011 - Gregory Shedden, 1999 - Dennis Mogg, 1998 - Spencer Duncanson, 1998 - Hope Kideckel 1997 - Kristin Peterson, 1997 - Lesley Peterson, 1997 - William Korytowski
